BUYER'S GUIDE: SRT-4 VS MSP.

[tritonheat1]

Men, youre out for the mazdaspeed numbers so let me doubt of the other one...
SCC numbers for the mazda speed protege is 7.1 for 0-60mph and 15.3 for the quarter mile... @90.1mph
I have the magazine in front of me,
i dont know where you took your number, but i wish it was real!
They said they tested and retested straight line speed and only managed to get those numbers, not bad but not amazing.

...........

Hey PPL OPEN YOUR EYES AND READ OK........................Ok then.

www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0210_mazda/index.html


0-60mph 6.5sec
1/4mile...14.9sec@93.2mph scroll down and look with your eyes.

 

[gmagnan]

Handling

1. MSP
2. Spec V + Neon
3. Celica GTS
4. (2 way tie) RSX and Tib and SVT
5. GTis
6. Sir

I agree with pretty much everything else you said, but... The Celica GTS and Acura RSX-S are much better handlers than the spec V, since despite having LSD and meaty ass tires it has the worst rear suspension setup of the bunch, and a not so stiff chassis. I've seen comparaisons where even the very nose heavy and softly sprung GTI VR6 beats it in the slalom.

I should think it's more like:

MSP
Neon
Celica GTS, RSX-S, SVT
GTI 1.8T
SIR (crappy 15'' tires), Tib 2.0
GTI VR6, Spec V
Tib V6

 

[jonlisle20]

Yeah, I saw both the numbers. 14.9 and 15.3 I think it was. They are both correct. I think one was pre-production and the other was production. Either way one might have been done on a hot day in high elevation and the other a cool day at sea level. You never know. I always go with the slowest test so I don't break my ego the first time at the track.
As for me, I am a speed freak. The MP3 is very fun to drive but when it comes time to line up at the light I barely win. 16.0 in the 1/4 is not fast. Fun to drive = YES, looks good = Yes, limited production = DUH, Great handling = Another DUH, etc... but NOT fast. Before you guys flame on me this is just MY opinion. No one elses. I like to win races in a semi-straight line. But hey, that's just me. A whole lot of people don't give a crap about that and that is probably one reason they bought this car. I thought I could hook up this car (turbo) and get crazy power levels like my friend with the Supercharged Civic (400+whp!) without destroying the transmition, my patiences, and my wallet. Apparently I was wrong. Does this make the car any less special or fun to own.......NO! Do I love this car......HELL YEAH! In the end it is just not going to be what I AM looking for. (Which sucks)
What I'm saying is...... ....some of you don't care that you will be getting beat by a Neon (light to light, highway). & I can see what you mean to a certain extent. Hey, DO YOU. But for ME, a straight line, highway racer, this is not acceptable. No Stock Neon is going to DESTROY me in a race.:'(
All of the mags that reviewed the Neon so far has only had the pre-production car I believe. They say that those crazy dynos and relatively loud exhaust will make it to production with VERY MINOR changes. (within a few percent of the pre-production one!) Either way that will kick my ass. Getting destroyed by a STOCK Neon is just the last straw for me. I mean the thing doesn't even have a limited slip differential!!!!!!!!
Beginning of Summer I will have my 6spd Supra TT and they will go down hard! Until then I think I will be making a lot of right turns at traffic lights and enjoy the hell out of this fine car. All you skilled autoXers out there take one down for me if you get the chance!
Sorry for the long pst guys. I just give credit where credit is due. Winning is winning even if you are driving a Neon heh heh heh

 

[gmagnan]

You just have to face the fact that there will always be faster cars out there than yours. Doesn't make your car any worse.

If your happy with the performance of your car when you blast down a quiet road by yourself, and have fun doing it, great. That should be all that matters.

Lets face it, straight line performance does not a great car make. Anyone with basic tools, an engine lift and 2000$ can dump a small block running nitrous in a chevette and humiliate a Porshe 911 turbo at a red light or at the drag strip. Does that mean everyone that has an exotic should stop enjoying their cars in fear that a rust bucket rolls up next to them at a red light?!

I'm not comparing the SRT4 to a chevette or anything... Enjoy your car for what it is, not for who it makes you.

 

[jonlisle20]

Um what are you talking about? "Enjoy your car for what it is, not for who it makes you." If you read my post you wouldn't think that I'm some insecure kid who needs their car to be fast so I can feel good about myself.
Yes there will always be someone faster. But with the MP3 90% of everyone that will race me is faster. For me that is not enjoyable. I'm not saying that everyone should feel like this.......because they don't! This is just MY opinion. I like fast cars. So sue me............or just imply that I'm insecure.

 

[Daemos]

I agree with pretty much everything else you said, but... The Celica GTS and Acura RSX-S are much better handlers than the spec V, since despite having LSD and meaty ass tires it has the worst rear suspension setup of the bunch, and a not so stiff chassis. I've seen comparaisons where even the very nose heavy and softly sprung GTI VR6 beats it in the slalom.

I should think it's more like:

MSP
Neon
Celica GTS, RSX-S, SVT
GTI 1.8T
SIR (crappy 15'' tires), Tib 2.0
GTI VR6, Spec V
Tib V6

acctually according to SCC the Spec V had the FASTEST times in the slalom for the 2002 8 Great Rides

And Trust me, I've out handled enough RSX type S's and Celicas to know I've TEST driven all of the above cars as well, cept for the neon and MSP for obvious reasons.

Yes the Rear Suspension in the Spec V sucks, but it still handles well. The 2002 was the first year car, every minor fix has been fixed for 2003, the 2003s, handle slightly better from when I drove the two.

 

[gmagnan]

Um what are you talking about? "Enjoy your car for what it is, not for who it makes you." If you read my post you wouldn't think that I'm some insecure kid who needs their car to be fast so I can feel good about myself.

Yes there will always be someone faster. But with the MP3 90% of everyone that will race me is faster. For me that is not enjoyable. I'm not saying that everyone should feel like this.......because they don't! This is just MY opinion. I like fast cars. So sue me............or just imply that I'm insecure.

I wasn't really talking about you in particular... I just don't understand the people who go on & on about how they love their car yet would want to change simply because a faster Neon just came out... Not to get the Neon, just not to have to suffer the 'humiliation' of being beaten by a Neon.

I must've seen this in at least a dozen threads by now on various forums...

I used to have a 52hp Diesel Golf, and I would get beaten at a red light by hybrid/electric post office trucks and laugh it off! Maybe I'm just weird.

... Actually I'm full of s*** I changed cars soon after that happened I can undertstand if you just want to change for a faster car and the SRT4 is just one of the many reasons motivating you... Good luck with your next car then... But untill then enjoy your Mp3 you lucky fu....

 

[rsx]

Please people ! Do not buy in to the magazine number games ! There is so much variance in the numbers for 0-60mph and 1/4 mile times from one source to another. Why ? because test conditions are always different!

1) Climate
2) Elevation
3) Track Preparation
4) Driver : Aggressive ? knows where the performance of the car lies ? knows the best launch ?
5) Measuring techniques
6) etc ...

The point is do not quote the fastest time you see in a magazine and automatically associate it as the true performance of a car. The best estimate in my opinion is throw out the fastest and slowest times you see, and average the rest.

What the magaiznes say don't mean anything when you are racing at the track or on the street

 

[buster]

Ahhh, I already gave examples of the quality and reliability of 2nd gen Neons, and yes they are rated higher than Sentra, Golf and Spec by JD power, and just wait till they have up to 02 in Consumer reports.
Sorry about the crack thing BTW, just got a bit worked up cause there are so many misinformed out there.
If things go sideways with the deal I am getting with the SRT4, then I will have a 03.5 MSP!
Oh, and figure out the resale and the financing rate over 5yrs! See who comes away with more in their pocket then?!

 

[WhatTurbo?]

Msp

Ok, i will be buying this car in March.. Because i am getting a signing bonus for going into the air force...
but i have a honda crx right now with some mods....
what i was wondering was what kinda mods can i do and not void warranty if you guys know??
i wanna do
1. BOV
2. Electronic Boost controller and timer
and pretty much leave it stock.
i might want
3" piping from the turbo back what do you guys think??

 

[Protege01MP3]

I think it sounds like a jim dandy plan... not sure bout the warranty issues... be careful with mazda.. the try their hardest not to cover warranty issues, even with the car completely stock the way you bought it... they are greedy bastards like that... so watch out that BOV might "be the cause of the squeeking in the back suspension" lol... i wouldn't doubt it if one of their techs tried to pin that on someone... or its even more likely that one of their techs would ACTUALLY THINK thats what happened lol.. i mean.. c'mon guys.. forgetting to put oil back into an engine before returning it to the customer?? hire someone that finished 6th grade...

 

[WhatTurbo?]

i wanna break 12's in msp eventually.. thats after warranty runs out and i get forged pistons lower compression head gasket and a t3/t4 turbo set up with a 50 shot of nitrous.. =)
oh and some slicks

 

[Protege01MP3]

lol... see.. i KNEW it!! i could tell from your post that there was no way in hell you'd be satisfied w/ a BOV and a boost controller.. lol...

see.. now your talkin! oh.. and i wonder if an intercooler upgrade would void your warranty?? im sure they'll probably (i hope) release a factory issued upgrade in the near future... cuz... as big_ben said in very colorful language, that intercooler is WAAY tiny (see my signature for quote)

 

[WhatTurbo?]

haha im all about speed.. if it doesnt add hp it isnt goign on my car or in it..
resleeved block, Sparco FMIC, Stand alone fuel management system!
oh ya the works!!
i get a 1200 a month for my car. half will be car payment and insurance rest is parts.go di love having everything payed for by the government

 

[twiztedjeckel]

yeah better make sure you don't go dropping the soap in the shower in front of any of your air force buddies. enjoy the car in the spring whenever you get it if you do. you'd be better off getting some other turbo car if your looking for a fast car now. your warrenty is going to last awhile and it sounds like you got the need for speed now

 

[WhatTurbo?]

See i have already decided i want a NEW car and it is still between the neon str-4 and this msp im undecided and i am more leaning towards the msp... dont doubt me on getting it i am not one to bs anyone....
oh and the gays arent in the airforce they are in the navy.. smartguy

 

[slug420]

if u want a fast car, get the srt-4. no question whatsoever. 75 more whp than the msp to start with, thats a lot of ground to make up. the srt-4 comes with beefed up internals already and promises mopar addons for more HP. if speed is your vice then i really dont see the MSP as the best choice.....

as far as the warranty goes, im pretty sure that across the board a boost controller is gonna void it but I would also like to say that I think the warranty coverage is very dependant on the dealer you go to. My friend bought a 2000 2.5rs and threw on a intake and an exhaust. He then had some problems with it and took it to a suby dealership, the suby dealership popped th ehood saw the intake and said, thats your problem. Wouldnt even touch it, just said you got that thing, you voided your warranty.

I then went to a suby dealership this summer with my parents who were lookin at a forester. I talked to a salesman there about the WRX and they had a used modded one on the lot. I asked him about the warranty and he said it was still valid. He told me about how they have sold a lot of WRXs and some of them have been modified. One of the kids put a huge BOV, CAI, huge exhaust and some other bells and whistles on his car and the engine was running too cold, so to prevent it from seizing up, it cut the fuel. So the kid brings it in to see what happened to his car and why, and the dealership, under warranty took his intake off, fixed whatever had broken when the fuel cut at 70mph....and sent him on his way saying "just dont put the intake back on". so it depends on the dealership i think, some are more willing to take a risk on covering modded cars to increase the enthusiast following they have, others wanna cut every corner and save every dime......

 

[Limited Edition]

One of the kids put a huge BOV, CAI, huge exhaust and some other bells and whistles on his car and the engine was running too cold, so to prevent it from seizing up, it cut the fuel.

i never knew that running an engine at too low of a temperature could seize up an engine? Could it really be that cold?

 

[JasonH]

i never knew that running an engine at too low of a temperature could seize up an engine? Could it really be that cold?

No. Plus, cutting the fuel wouldn't break anything.

 

[slug420]

i dunno, thats what i was told......the point is, some dealers will **** u when they see any mod, others will help u out and be friends rather than enemies.